Leading Players of the Global Cement Industry

Exclusive extracts from this 60-page-long report:

- Who are the key players?

The industry is fairly consolidated globally, with LafargeHolcim and HeidelbergCement by far the two biggest producers. Since the 1970s, the sector has witnessed growing concentration which has further accelerated in recent years. International players are however set to face greater competition at the regional level as top competitors in more fragmented national/regional markets such as China (Anhui Conch), India (UltraTech) and Africa (Dangote) build up significant capacity and become increasingly influential. [...]

Groups analysed in this report include: CRH, LafargeHolcim, HeidelbergCement, Cemex, CNBM, Siam Cement, Anhui Conch, Taiheiyo Cement, UltraTech Cement and Votorantim.

- What are the players' strategies?

Given the capital-intensive nature of the cement industry, operational excellence is a key objective for groups, in addition to continued efforts to reduce overcapacities. International expansion frequently accompanies portfolio restructuring, allowing companies to focus on their most profitable markets. To best cater to growing demand stemming from rapid urbanisation rates across the globe, HeidelbergCement is banking on vertical integration in metropolitan areas. Given the heavy and commodified nature of many building materials, proximity to building sites and cost-efficiency are key areas of differentiation for cement companies. In its client-facing operations, the group has developed shared sales structures and cross-business services to maximise synergies. Cities where this strategy is being implemented include Jakarta, Sydney, London, New York and Dar es Salaam […]

- What are the players' key growth and profitability drivers?

Cement groups aim at expanding their presence in emerging countries and control the entire value chain, from availability of raw materials to distribution efficiency. Global economic conditions have a significant impact on companies of the cement industry. For instance, LafargeHolcim saw its 2017 sales decline by 2.9% year-on-year, as sales fell significantly in Asia-Pacific due to construction delays (-9.5%). Latin America, the region which recorded the strongest growth in 2017 (+6.2%), was buoyed by housing demand in Argentina and infrastructure projects in Mexico.

1. Overview

1.1. The Sector

1.2. Ranking

1.3. Performance Analysis

2. Company Profiles

2.1. CRH

2.2. LafargeHolcim

2.3. HeidelbergCement

2.4. Cemex

2.5. Siam Cement (SCG)

2.6. Anhui Conch

2.7. Taiheiyo Cement

2.8. UltraTech Cement

2.9. Votorantim Cimentos

2.10. CNBM

3. Sources

4. Annexes

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